In a historic moment for space collaboration between India and the United States, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite was successfully launched into orbit on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, by ISRO’s GSLV-F16 rocket.
This marks the first joint Earth observation mission between ISRO and NASA, highlighting a significant milestone in Indo-U.S. space cooperation. The satellite was placed into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) at an altitude of around 745 km, after a smooth 19-minute flight.
“GSLV has successfully injected NISAR into its designated orbit,” ISRO confirmed after the launch.
What is NISAR?
NISAR satellite includes really fantastic radar imaging systems that enable it to see the surface of the earth regardless of weather condition and time of day. It even flies over the exact same location again every 12 days, so we have the ability to get high-resolution data that is consistent on a regular basis.
The mission is divided into three things:
- Monitoring of the movement of land and ice
The NISAR will detect whenever the ground is in motion, such as in the case of earthquakes or when there is a movement of the ice sheets. - Ecosystem dynamics research
With monitoring of green vegetation, NISAR will be able to know how the ecology in other areas is fairing. - Coastal and ocean changes mapping
Whether it is an increase in sea level or an upward shift of the coastline, NISAR can document everything.
Researchers in India and the U.S. will put this information into work so that they can learn about natural hazards, change in climates, pattern of agricultural, etc.
A New Chapter in Indo-U.S. Space Relations
The successful launch of NISAR is being hailed as a major step forward in international space collaboration, combining ISRO’s launch capabilities with NASA’s cutting-edge radar technology. It is expected to pave the way for deeper scientific cooperation between the two countries in Earth science, climate monitoring, and disaster management.
This mission demonstrates how space can be a powerful tool for global cooperation and scientific advancement.
Rajnish Dutt
Dutt Rajnish is an experienced journalist with a strong background in reporting and storytelling. He has worked with multiple offline media companies, gaining hands-on experience in news coverage, field reporting, and content creation. Known for his clear writing and dedication to facts, Dutt Rajnish continues to bring real stories to the public with honesty and integrity.